By Nsikan Etebia From Uyo
Youth leadership, under the auspices of “Village Youth Presidents”, in Akwa Ibom State have expressed worry over the rising cases and acts of vandalism of government properties across the state.
The Village Youth Presidents also frowned at the incessant cases of rape and child trafficking activities which in the last few months were the most reported vices in the media, allegedly perpetrated by selfish minded individuals in some parts of Akwa Ibom state.
They stated this today, Tuesday, 13 October, 2020, during a strategic meeting with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, in his office in Uyo.
While expressing their displeasure over the way and manner public utilities are destroyed and stolen, the youths called for stiffer penalties against perpetrators of such nefarious activities.
The Youth body said the triple cases of vandalization of government properties, rape and human trafficking are masterminded by criminally minded persons who are seriously working hard to discredit Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda efforts in the provision of infrastructure, security and health.
Narrating the challenges, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Youth Matters, Mr. Aniefiok Iwaudofia, thanked the governor for appointing Mr. Frank Archibong into the State Executive Council as Commissioner. Iwaudofia said that the appointment of Frank reflects the Governor’s sincerity of purpose and his avowed commitment to involving Akwa Ibom youths in the governance of the State.
Iwaudofia decried the high rate of rape, vandalism and child trafficking in the State despite the Governor’s resilience and commitment towards ensuring the safety of lives and property.
“Governor Udom Emmanuel has given his best in developing our State by putting in place necessary infrastructure as was promised; we will not keep mute and fold our hands while our society is gradually degrading in moral standard because it is our duty as youth leaders to protect government property and advocate against any illegal acts” Iwaudofia stated.
He commended the tenacity and will of Mr. Archibong, to coordinate and bring to an end cases of vandalism and security challenges in the State.
Also speaking, the SSA to the Governor on Marketing and Brand Management, Mr. Ime Uwah, State Chairman, AKS Youth Council, Barr.Theodore William, Youth spokesman, Linus Effiong, said it is high time for the youth to get themselves strategically involved in the development of the State by laying foundations for the future through grooming of younger generation.
In their separate remarks, they all lauded the Governor for assiduously working to secure lives and property in the State. They posited that there is serious need for the leadership of the youth to be efficiently equipped with modern communication gadgets to enable them effectively coordinate, mobilize and sensitize the youths across all stratas in order to curb vandalism and other social vices.
Addressing the youth leaders, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, appreciated the role of the youth leadership in the State in maintaining peace and harmony.
Mr. Archibong, said the meeting with the leadership of the youth was necessary following series of reports on vandalization of government properties and rising cases of rape in the State brought before him.
He admonished them to build a strong synergy with the security operatives across the 31 LGAs in the State for excellent result to be achieved.
Mr. Frank Archibong, charged the leadership of the youth to reinforce their trust in government by being supportive and responsible in their thought and action while assuring them of government support. He further urged them to map out modalities on attitudinal changes in the direction of security across the 31 LGAs to aide responsible monitoring.
“As youth leaders, you have to sensitize the entire youth structure and ensure in compliance with the rule of law, government property are protected. If we are to support our community to be developed as envisaged, we must collaborate and rise against vandalism, rape and child trafficking to show we are supporting Governor Udom Emmanuel’s Completion Agenda and his legacies which must be sustained” Archibong said.
The meeting had in attendance, SA to the Governor on Grassroot Mobilization, Mr. Uwemedimo Asuquo, Chief of Staff to the Commissioner, Mr. Tommy Enodien, State President, Forum of Village Youth Presidents, Mr. Itai James, PDP Vice Chairmanship Candidate for Ibesikpo Asutan, Mr. Edidiong Inyang, Secretary of Akwa Ibom Christian Youth Leadership Forum, Pastor Bright Benson, Coordinator General of Dakkada Ambassadors, Mr. Victor Koffi and Engr. Elvis Ebong.
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